The action of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival steps up a notch today, Saturday September 24, with a double-shot of Group 1 racing headlining the Caulfield card for Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day 2016.

A below capacity field of middle distance gallopers will face off in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2016 at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday including the firming Chris Waller-trained favourite Counterattack.

Counterattack is firming favourite in the 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes field and betting for Saturday at Caulfield in Melbourne. Photo: Daniel Costello.

New Zealand-based co-trainer Stephen Autridge is hoping the stable’s multiple Group 1 winner Xtravagant can atone for his first-up last at Flemington with a better run in Caulfield’s 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes this weekend.